Apr 2, 2014

As announced earlier today, Microsoft released the new Windows 8.1 Update on MSDN, so subscribers can now download the released files and install the product before everyone else does it on April 8.

Although Terry Myerson hasn’t mentioned it during his keynote, Windows 8.1 Update is available on MSDN in two different flavors, as MSU installers and as standalone ISOs that allow users to perform a clean install, without the need for relying on Windows Update to deploy the files. The Windows 8.1 Update ISO measures 3924 MB and allows users to install any of the available versions of the operating system, including 8.1 Core, 8.1 Embedded, and Server 2012 R2. The MSU installers, on the other hand, have 360 MB in size for x86 and 770 MB for x64 and provide support for the same versions.

Windows 8.1 Update brings a long series of changes to the modern platform, including a revamped Start screen, context menus in the Modern UI and options to pin Metro apps to the taskbar. All users should get the new Windows 8.1 Update on April 8, the same day when Microsoft releases the Patch Tuesday fixes to resolve glitches in its software. Of course, it’s going to be offered free of charge to all those running Windows 8.1.

The new builds are now available on MSNDImage credits to MSDN/Microsoft